Forum: Renters
April 29, 2008
need help with some projected costs
Okay, I am trying to persuade my mortgage co to give me a loan to buy a 5 story townhouse. I have to make them a financial projection. How much, roughly, would insurance be annually? It is a 4 family, 3 units would be rented, which I am sure will raise the insurance. And what would the monthly water bill be?
April 23, 2008
Shady landlord lease question
My husband and I are have been living in our apartment since August of 2006, when we signed a one year lease.
When the lease was up for renewal last summer our landlady raised our rent by $200 and asked for an additional $200 in deposit (plus an extra $300 pet deposit for a second dog). We agreed and have been paying our rent in full and on time every month ever since.
However, she never gave us a new contract to sign. She claims to be too busy but, as is typical of her M.O., I suspect she likes to have the freedom to kick people out or raise rent at any moment and therefore has conveniently forgotten for what has now been nearly a year.
Now we have bought an apartment elsewhere and are planning to move out by the end of May (mid June if she’ll accept a pro-rated rent for that month). Am I correct in believing that we are free to leave as long as we give her 30 days notice given that we are technically now on a month-to-month lease?
I’ve done a little research online, but haven’t been able to find a concrete answer.
Thanks in advance for any feedback.
April 20, 2008
Best Time to Rent?
I've always heard that the best time to rent and get a competitive price is in the summer. I have a tenant who is flexible about his departure and could leave either at the end of May or the end of June. Will I able to get a better rent in June 1st or July 1st? Or is the there any difference? Thanks.
April 18, 2008
tips for showing a rental apartment?
I am showing my apartment by owner for the first time this weekend, and I'm wondering if anyone has any tips for doing this. I know all about selling a place.. Thanks so much in advance. Also, any suggestions of where to post other than craigslist? My posting got a flurry of responses at first, but now seems to be buried under the pile of listings.
April 10, 2008
June 1 rental -- are people looking yet
I am interested in the views of landlords, realtors and prospective tenants. Are people looking yet for June 1 rentals, or will the real hunt be on closer to May 1? I don't see a lot of 6/1 listings on Craigslist yet.
April 2, 2008
how does renting an apartment usually work?
I bought a house in 2006 that came with renters. They're moving out for the first time, and I'm wondering what to do! (In lots of things -- getting a broker or not, renovating or not).
However, my main question is how things normally work. Say my apartment was in good shape, but needed painting, how does a landlord normally do it? Renters want to move in/out on the 1st, right? How does the apartment get painted in time? Or cleaned up? Or do landlords generally just bite the bullet and go a month without tenants? Seems painful just for a couple minor fixups.
Thanks in advance for any advice! (Or if you want an apartment :) ...